How do we listen, speak our minds, and collaborate across the generations, race, identity and culture? How do we build and empower our future, both locally and globally?

RISE: Empower, Change and Action! seeks to bring artists into dialogue and to bring forth what is important to self, community, our nation and the world at large through art that reflects and addresses complex socio-cultural issues and focuses on a vision for a more positive, empowering future, particularly for self-identified women and girls as well as their families. It is underpinned by the feminist principle that believes in political, economic and social equality for all.

Manifestations of empowerment can include gender equality; economic independence, education, access to health care, reproductive rights, human rights, freedom of expression, changing gender roles, and breaking gender and race stereotypes. Art submissions can range from literal to poetic, abstract to representational, and include social and political commentary. The show looks to include the more abstract ideals and universal themes of peace, exploration of belief systems, universal responsibility, and the search for beauty, and transcendence. Artists may submit works that are a source of healing, hope and compassion or instruments of growth, self-discovery, and social or political transformation. We welcome art that reflects personal as well as observed stories, whether myth, fact or fiction.

RISE aims to emphasize the commonalities of our human experience.

Art can be a powerful, productive force and instrumental in sparking change or critical thinking. Through this exhibition, we are committed to promoting and supporting local, national, and global art activism and bring to light issues and concerns, art can effect change.